Motivation for different types and doses of exercise during breast cancer chemotherapy: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Courneya, Kerry S.; Segal, Roanne J.; Vallerand, James R.; Forbes, Cynthia C.; Crawford, Jennifer J.; Dolan, Lianne B.; Friedenreich, Christine M.; Reid, Robert D.; Gelmon, Karen; Mackey, John R.; McKenzie, Donald C.

Abstract

Background
Exercise is beneficial for breast cancer patients during chemotherapy, but their motivation to perform different types and doses of exercise is unknown.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the anticipated and experienced motivation of breast cancer patients before and after three different exercise programs during chemotherapy.

Methods
Breast cancer patients initiating chemotherapy (N = 301) were randomized to a standard dose of 25–30 min of aerobic exercise, a higher dose of 50–60 min of aerobic exercise, or a combined dose of 50–60 min of aerobic and resistance exercise. Patient preference and motivational outcomes from the theory of planned behavior (i.e., perceived benefit, enjoyment, support, difficulty, and motivation) were assessed before and after the interventions.

Results
At pre-randomization, breast cancer patients were significantly (p less than 0.001) more likely to prefer the combined program (80.1 %); however, after the interventions there was a significant (p less than 0.001) increase in the number of patients preferring the high volume program and having no preference. At pre-randomization, breast cancer patients anticipated more favorable motivational outcomes for the combined program and less favorable motivational outcomes for the high volume program (all p less than 0.001). After the interventions, the motivational outcomes experienced exceeded the anticipated motivational outcomes significantly more in the high volume group than the standard or combined groups.

Conclusions
Anticipated motivational outcomes for different types and doses of exercise during chemotherapy varied considerably at pre-randomization, but the motivational outcomes experienced after the three interventions were similar. Clinicians can recommend any of the three exercise interventions to breast cancer patients knowing that positive motivational outcomes will result.

Citation

Courneya, K. S., Segal, R. J., Vallerand, J. R., Forbes, C. C., Crawford, J. J., Dolan, L. B., Friedenreich, C. M., Reid, R. D., Gelmon, K., Mackey, J. R., & McKenzie, D. C. (2016). Motivation for different types and doses of exercise during breast cancer chemotherapy: a Randomized Controlled Trial. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 50(4), 554-563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-016-9782-z

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 5, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Feb 19, 2016
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Sep 5, 2018
• Journal: Annals of Behavioral Medicine
• Print ISSN: 0883-6612
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 554-563
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-016-9782-z
• Keywords: Cancer survivors; Motivation; Patient preference; Physical activity; Theory of planned behavior
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1021167
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/abm/article/50/4/554/4345620